Heviz is a small resort located in the west of Hungary. Thanks to the thermal lake located here, the waters of which heal from many diseases, this city has become known all over the world. Tens of thousands of tourists come here every year.
But the healing thermal waters are not the only thing that the hospitable city can be proud of. There are many places and artifacts that are of constant interest to travelers. Some of these attractions are historical or archaeological, while others are relatively recent in the city.
So what to see in Heviz?
Top 10 sights of Heviz
Lake Heviz
Lake Heviz
The main city landmark. The largest of European thermal lakes. It was thanks to him that the city gained worldwide fame.
The local thermal water has a healing effect. Under the lake, at a depth of about 40 m, there is a cave from which several springs flow; their waters, thermal and mineral, flow into the lake. In about two days, the lake water is completely renewed, thanks to which it always remains clean. Its temperature does not drop below 24 degrees even in winter; at this time, steam swirls over the lake (since the air becomes much colder than water). In summer, the temperature of the healing waters can reach 36 degrees.
People come here to recover from joint pain, polyarthritis, sciatica, osteochondrosis, gout … And the list goes on! The local thermal water heals many diseases (although there are contraindications, including pregnancy and open wounds). Not far from the lake, the famous St. András Clinic is built, where thermal water is used for various medical procedures.
But the healing waters are not the only advantage of the amazing lake. Surrounded by a dense forest, it pleases the eye with its beauty; the local atmosphere of tranquility and serenity contributes to a good rest.
Alley named after Dr. Schulhof
Alley named after Dr. Schulhof
It is located in a park on the shores of a thermal lake. Here you can not only enjoy a walk under the thick crowns of plane trees, but also see historical sights. These are hotel buildings built in the 2nd half of the 19th century.
At that time, they were one-story. At the beginning of the 20th century, they were built on, it was then that they took on their current appearance. Today the purpose of the buildings has changed: they are no longer hotels, but hospital departments.
Some of the trees that you will see while walking along the alley are almost the same age as these historical sites.
Rákóczi street
Rákóczi street
One of the coziest and quietest places in the city. Moreover, it is one of the local tourist centers. You will not see cars here: entry to the street is prohibited. Only pedestrians walk along this quiet street, past picturesque houses built in the style that was popular in the country at the beginning of the 20th century. The atmosphere of antiquity, frozen time, lack of rush, fuss - this is what the street attracts numerous tourists with. And the locals love to spend their leisure time here.
On both sides of the street there are coffee shops and small restaurants. The same atmosphere of peace and serenity reigns in them, their design is designed in a retro style. There is also a small cinema here. In the same building there is a museum, the exposition of which is devoted to the history of the city.
Town hall
Town hall
One of the most beautiful buildings in the city. Built in the late 90s of the XX century. Located near the city's historic center.
The first stone of this building was laid by one of the most famous people in the country - Bertalan Farkas. His name is known all over the world: he is the first Hungarian to fly into space. He also became the first Esperanto cosmonaut.
The facade of the building is decorated with bells. There are about 20 of them, several times a day they emit a gentle, melodic ringing.
Speaking about the city hall, they usually always mention the fountain located next to it. It is crowned with a statue of a naked nymph and is a kind of symbol of the city. The beautiful nymph is downright full of health, for the sake of which tens of thousands of people from all over the world come here every year. The fountain, like the town hall, appeared here in the late 90s of the XX century.
Temple of the Arpad times
Temple of the Arpad times
Church of the XIII century. At the time when the temple was built, the country was ruled by the Arpad dynasty, which is why today the old church is known by this name.
The appearance of the temple testifies to the fact that the building was erected in harsh times: a tower crowned with a kind of helmet rises above the house of prayer; its loopholes still remember the war with the Turks. The church was restored several times, thanks to which it was possible to preserve its original appearance.
Not far from the temple there is a cemetery, where some of the tombstones are several hundred years old. The inscriptions on the most ancient stones are no longer readable. From the hill where the cemetery is located, you can admire the valley: the view from here is simply amazing.
Temple of the Holy Spirit
Temple of the Holy Spirit
The church was built relatively recently - in the late 90s of the XX century. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
It is impossible not to notice this structure, it is impossible not to admire it. The walls, painted in light blue, remind of the sky of early spring, and the seven slender towers, crowned with crosses, seem to be engulfed in a single impulse - to fly up! The appearance of the building is majestic and laconic at the same time, graceful and unusual.
The interiors of the temple are much less impressive, although expensive wood was used to decorate the interior of the church, and the church windows are decorated with stained-glass windows. But the temple, which can accommodate about 1000 parishioners, is famous for its excellent acoustics. For this reason, organ music concerts are often held here.
Church of the Heart of Christ
We can say that the construction of this temple took a whole century: the bell tower was erected at the beginning of the 20th century, and the church itself was added to it 90 years later.
For church services, parishioners are summoned by the ringing of several bells. One of them was cast around the same time the bell tower was built. This bell is dedicated to Mary Magdalene, a repentant sinner who became one of the Gospel saints. The second bell, a larger one, was cast in the late 1930s. It is dedicated to the local soldiers who died on the battlefields of the First World War. The names of 16 soldiers are engraved on this bell.
A park was laid out not far from the temple in the 2000s. There are wooden gravestones in memory of those who died during the two world wars.
Wine slide
One of the districts of the city. Here, vineyards are laid out on the hills, wine cellars are set up everywhere, and you can taste local wines in one of the many local restaurants.
In the Middle Ages, there was a small village here. During the Turkish rule, it was wiped off the face of the earth, and in the 17th century, the village was restored. Local residents were already engaged in winemaking.
Hungarian wine gained immense popularity in Europe back in the 16th century. Since then, Hungarians treasure and are proud of the fame of first-class winemakers. In the 18th century, the country passed a law that prohibited the production of low-quality wine. In the 19th century, a special institute was created to control the quality of wines.
Visiting the city's vineyards, one can easily be convinced that in our time the local people are no less anxious about the process of wine production than in the past centuries. All plantings of vines are very well-groomed, with neat clean aisles. Sometimes vineyards are even decorated with roses or plaster sculptures.
Even if you are not a wine lover, if you are not attracted to the local restaurants (each of which is uniquely decorated), you should still visit these places. If only because there is a magnificent view from the hills.
Ancient roman archaeological park
Ancient roman archaeological park
Located in the northern part of the city, on the very outskirts. It is the remains of buildings from the 1st-5th centuries. Their architects were the Romans. A fairly extensive rectangular area, on which the ruins of an ancient settlement are located - this is how this archaeological park looks like.
Scientists have found that once there was a wooden building with an agricultural purpose (in addition to the stone buildings located here). Among the ancient stones, archaeologists found pieces of charcoal: this means that the wooden structure existed and that it died in the fire.
In its place, a bathhouse was erected by the Romans. It had three pools. One was for cold water, the second for warm water, and the third for hot water. In the center of the ancient Roman settlement there was a temple. It was destroyed in the 5th or 4th centuries.
Farmer's market
Farmer's market
Works 3 days a week. On Tuesday and Saturday, the market opens quite early - at 7 am. On these days it is open until 13:00. On Thursday, it starts its work only in the middle of the day, and closes at 19:00.
Several hundred suppliers bring their products to the market these days. It is housed in three pavilions. In the first of them you can buy delicious cheeses, high-quality sausages, the freshest pastries. The second pavilion will impress you with the variety of vegetables on the shelves. All vegetables are fresh and tasty, so the eyes of buyers simply run wide. In the third pavilion you can buy ceramic and wood products of local craftsmen, dishes and jewelry … If you want to buy a souvenir to remember your trip, be sure to visit this pavilion! Here you will acquire an item that will not only be memorable, but also useful, as well as beautiful and of high quality.
